Hi guys,

I am selling my lexus sc430 to buy a 2003 M3 with SMG. The one I am looking at has 56k miles and seems to be in great condition. It has Nav and they want $35 grand for it. I have never bought a used car with that many miles on it and I was wondering if you think this is a good/bad idea?

I am worried that the suspension, engine, and other things might need help over the next few years. I usually only put 10k miles on my cars each year.

My sc430 is a 2002 and only has 36k miles so I am hoping I am not getting myslef into a bad situation as far as maintenence goes. Any advice would be much appreciated. Obviously the M3 will be much more fun than my sc430 but I am worried about the mileage. Please advise. I hope to be a frequent member of this forum soon.

Thank you, Mike

Price is high with that many miles. I paid 36K for a 2003 with all options and 29K miles in September. For that price and miles condition better be darn good, maybe perfect. Mine has some scuffing on the wheels and some small cracks on some of the body mouldings under the doors. No SMG on my car.

Price is high, but not ridiculous. Maybe would be good 3-5K less? Prices have been dropping even more since I bought mine.

On the mechanicals -- get an inspection of course, but you can also purchase an extended warranty which will remove a lot of risk. As everyone will tell you, make sure the rod bearing recall has been done. Also the engine on a 2003 M3 (parts subject to engine oil lubrication) has a 100K miles/7(?) year warranty in any case.

Welcome (in advance) to the club. It's an awesome car. At least, I like it.. :)

Thank you SoundScribe!

That is just the type of info I need. If there is any other info any of you have to add please help me out.

Thanks, Mike

If it's CPO then you should have warr. ext to 6 years or till 100k.

It is not CPO and is from a small auto dealership here in San Diego.

the biggest worry I would have is buying an SMG with that many miles and no warranty. SMG is a good system, just expensive to repair if you are paying the bill.

Hi guys,

I am selling my lexus sc430 to buy a 2003 M3 with SMG. The one I am looking at has 56k miles and seems to be in great condition. It has Nav and they want $35 grand for it. I have never bought a used car with that many miles on it and I was wondering if you think this is a good/bad idea?

I am worried that the suspension, engine, and other things might need help over the next few years. I usually only put 10k miles on my cars each year.

My sc430 is a 2002 and only has 36k miles so I am hoping I am not getting myslef into a bad situation as far as maintenence goes. Any advice would be much appreciated. Obviously the M3 will be much more fun than my sc430 but I am worried about the mileage. Please advise. I hope to be a frequent member of this forum soon.

Thank you, Mike

Hello Mike,

Here is another option for you. I got my 2004 M3, the lease is going to end in the next few months. I will let it go for $33k or just return it to BMW. Either way, good luck.



2004 BMW M3
SMG
Silver/Black
56k Miles
Original owner, no accidents, very clean
Navigation, parking sensors, heated seats, prem package, xenon lights, seat support, (original stkr $60K)
All records are present at dealer, never had any problems,
I am in Santa Barbara and often visit Los Angeles
Here is url for pic

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_5_%7CB-40000%7CA-30000%7CH-%7CD-_47-1_%7CN-N%7CR-30%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CY-_2004_%7CX-popular%7CZ-90232&aff=national&paId=213395964&recnum=7&leadExists=true

I think the asking price is spot on. Figure 2-3 grand off for actual sales price... then it becomes a $32-33K M3 and definately worth pursuing, IMO.

For reference, I paid $36K for a 2003.5 with 26K miles, CPO, extended service, everything but nav and park distance and a bunch of aftermarket goodies. I did overpay some, but the dealership gave me a killer trade in price. This was last weekend.

Wow! Sounds like there are some better deals out there. I am specifically looking to get either carbon black or mystic blue and a 2003 since I hate those shark fin antennas. I am going to have to bargain with these guys or look elsewhere. Thanks!